Evaluation of Dried Brewers Grains and Yeast In Laying Hen Diets Containing Various Sulfur Amino Acid Levels

In each of two experiments, 480 individually caged White Leghorn hens received dietary treatments of 0.412, 0.470, 0.528 and 0.592% total sulfur amino acids with a concomitant increase in protein levels for a ten-month experimental period. In addition, diets containing 0.470 and 0.528% sulfur amino acids were formulated with the inclusion of one of the following—5% brewers grains, 10% brewers grains, 5% of a brewers grain-yeast mixture (95%–5%) or 10% of the mixture. Cumulative egg production was significantly improved by the addition of 5% dried brewers grains (DBG) to the diet. The inclusion of yeast in diets containing either 5 or 10% DBG resulted in significantly improved egg weights. Feed efficiency and feed consumed per hen per day were not significantly improved by the addition of DBG to any of the diets. The addition of 5% DBG plus yeast did not significantly influence final body weights, however, all other DBG treatments significantly reduced body weight when compared to the unsupplemented diets. These data indicate that the inclusion of up to 10% dried brewers grains in the diet is acceptable to the laying hen if the diet formulation is based on the nutrient composition of DBG.